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Leicester squares up to distance challenge in SA Derby

Darren Weir had wondered whether the 2500m trip of the group 1 South Australian Derby at Morphetville might be a step too far for Leicester, but he neednt have worried.

Under a cool ride from Damian Lane, Leicester ($4 fav) came with the last run to see off the David Hayes-trained Rezealient ($21), partnered by Jamie Kah, with Gai Waterhouses gallant pacesetter Runaway ($13), under Stevie Baster, hanging on well to retain third spot.

Weir said that the gelding would be turned out for a spell and brought back for the spring, where the Toorak Handicap could be a target.

Silken touch: Rachel King steers Osborne Bulls to victory at Scone.

Photo: AAP

I said to him just ride him to run the trip, so a big pat on the pack for Damian, Weir said. Hes going to the paddock. Hes probably a Toorak-type horse. Against his own age I think he could probably get away with it [running 2500m], but I dont know if he will against the better ones. The ride helped win the race.

KING IS QUEEN OF SCONE

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Rachel King will get the photo of Osborne Bulls winning yesterdays Luskin Star Stakes at Scone to send back to her parents in England.
The premiership-leading apprentice was at her best to get the $2.20 favourite home in the Godolphin blue.

“They are such famous colours. To win a stakes race in them is pretty special, and Mum and Dad would love to have that picture,” King said. This wasnt a sit-and-steer job. King was back at the turn and opted to come through the field, and when she hit the front inside the 200m there was a roar from punters.

“He just flowed and the runs kept coming,” King said.

Osborne Bulls ran away to win by 1-1/4 lengths from Red Excitement ($26) with Invincible Gem ($3.60) a long neck back in third. Godolphin assistant trainer and former champion jockey Darren Beadman gave Kings ride high praise.

“There is an art in riding back in the field, and she has got it,” he said. The win gave King a winning double after she won the opener on Hand It In ($26).

GOOD TIMES FOR BARTLETT

There is a lot of dad, Strategic, about In Good Time to the eye, and she has got a bit of his talent as well.

After six starts she is unbeaten and is now a Listed winner after taking out the Denises Joy Stakes at Scone yesterday.

In process she has banked more than $180,000 in prizemoney – not bad for a $10,000 purchase.
“She is just as good as she looks,” trainer Tracey Bartley said.

“She doesnt do much wrong but she had to earn it there today.

When the pressure was on she put her head down and got the job done.

Matthew Cahill had to take the field to the leader Givem Hell, but In Good Time ($16) had more to give when she got there.

“I thought I was in trouble at the 200m, but she just dug in and found another gear,” Cahill said.
Bartley made it a winning double when To Excess ($4.70) won the Ortensia Stakes to close the carnival. He is probably my best horse since Snipers Bullet," he said.

TEGANS COVER STORY

All Tegan Harrison wanted on Sirens Fury was a bit of cover in yesterdays Dark Jewel Classic.
Thats what trainer Jason Coyle had told her. She got it, and the rest is history. Sirens Fury ($16) travelled behind the leader and dashed through on the inside to beat Schism ($8.50) and Ghisoni ($4 fav) in the group 3 race.

“You would have liked to hear my language in the back because I wanted something to give me cover,” Harrison said. “Jason said that would settle her and it did to an extent. She still went hard, but she had a good sprint at the end.”

Coyle had targeted the Dark Jewel with the four-year-old mare, who may now go to Brisbane.

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Chris Roots

Racing writer for The Sydney Morning Herald

Michael Lynch

Michael Lynch, The Age's expert on soccer, has had extensive experience of high level journalism in the UK and Australia. Michael has covered the Socceroos through Asia, Europe and South America in their past three World Cup campaigns. He has also reported on Grands Prix and top class motor sport from Asia and Europe. He has won several national media awards for both sports and industry journalism.

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